추억의 엘범

The class video which I created and uploaded to my school's website has since been deleted by the site's administrator. In an attempt to 'resurrect' it in this connected world, I got it uploaded to youtube. Memories have never been so good.

졸업하는 날

Its time of the season to return to my 'root'. I have served out my purpose and shall now fall back to my origin. I have no regret because it is a natural cycle. I have my spring and summer so I am contented.


This morning before I left my room for school, I did a check on my handphone which is usually put in silent mode. I discovered I had a miss call on Wednesday afternoon. It was from my teacher. Though I didn't pick up her call, I probably know why she called. She probably had wanted me to deliver a speech during the graduation ceremony. I would have accepted her request as I felt obliged to speak since I have a lot of people to thank.

Though there is a bit of regret for not getting the chance to speak, I am still glad that the person who spoke, used the given opportunity to 'great effect'. Someone 'special' in the audience must have been very proud of the speaker.

Now about the ceremony today. Of all the similar ceremonies which I sat through, this ceremony is the most uneventful. I was expecting some performance from the teachers but as it turned out, there was none. The ceremony ended when my classmate completed delivering her speech. That's so much for my last ceremony in IIE.

Prof Kim, Dean of IIE, is a forerunner in promoting Korean language and culture to foreigners and I think he should one day be recognised for his contributions to the Korean's mother tongue. On a personal level, we would always exchange greetings when we meet each other along the road since he recognises me. I don't know how he recognises me out of thousands of IIE students but he does and I can't pretend that I don't know him.

Age is no barrier to studying a new language as this retiree from Japan has demonstrated. He is the model student or top student for Advance 1 level. He is holding to his certificate and prize which is Advance 2 textbook.

My Myanmese classmate receiving her certificate and prize for coming up top in our class. It is her second time receiving the model student award. Until I meet Myanmese students, I thought that Vietnamese students are very good in Korean.

Another of my Myanmese classmate delivering her speech about her study in IIE. She speaks Korean very fluently and is usually the person who spoke the most during our discussion period. I need a few more years of hardwork to speak like her.

It doesn't matter whether it is diploma or certificate of completion we are receiving, we are all leaving IIE for good. Almost 90% of my class are going to start their graduate school in September. I wish I could join them and stay for another two years.

The above scene is what I actually saw after exiting from Crown Hall. It was an autumn sky - high and blue. If everything else was bad at least the beautiful sky made up for all.

I left Crown Hall without feeling sad because the sky was so beautiful. I can't feel any sadness even if I want to. The weather was just so good. Our class had our last gathering with our teacher at one Korean eating house outside the school.

It's my last time walking out of KHU as a student after spending more than 10 months of my time here. If I am to quote what one of my teachers had said, "One thing I like about teaching in KHU is that it is like a forest. You hardly can find another university with such setting."

Autumn sky is awesome. Autumn is the time when all leaves shall fulfil their natural cycle by falling back to their 'roots'. Its also time for me to return. I have my time and I have no regret.

졸업 카운트다운

I knew that the 'end' of the road will be no different from the start, so I have tried my best to make every day here counts. What is important after all is the journey and not the destination.

I have reached one end of the road but there seems to be another road opening up ahead. I shall just keep walking because I have enjoyed the journey so far. Despite that, I am still curious where it will lead me to next. Unknown is exciting.

우리 학교

My school, IIE, is shaped like a turtle ship, a ship which was invented by Admiral Lee Shun-shin and the pride of Joseon's navy. I couldn't see their similarity until I got to see a full view of IIE from the top of another building.

A model of a turtle ship below the statue of Admiral Lee Shin-shin at Gwanghwamun Plaza.

Front view of IIE. The dragon head of turtle ship is represented by the tall structure which houses the staircase. The circle windows are like canon portholes of the ship.

Oblique view of IIE. This view reveals the full length of the building. The shape of turtle ship is now clearly visible.

Side view of IIE. The classrooms are mostly located at the back end of the building. The building is 3 storey high with a basement. Despite that, the building has become too small over the years as Korean language student population continues to increase.

KHU is not short of unique-looking building. The crown-shaped building below is called the Crown Hall. It is where our graduation and end-of-term ceremony this Friday will be held. Every regular IIE's Korean language students will leave the school walking out of this building.

기억과 추억

It is the time of the season when class albums are produced. Next Friday is the end-of-term ceremony and all these albums will be made into DVD to be given out as souvenir to students.

There are about 40 class albums produced but only about half can be viewed at the school's website. Windows Media Player simply 'refuses' to play video file that has Korean file name. Among the albums that are viewable, I have selected my best 3 albums.

Unfortunately, my class album cannot be viewed since it was uploaded with a Korean file name. But I don't think it matters much since other classes share more or less the same experience as us because we are all in Seoul, in KHU-IIE during Summer 2009.

Just be warn that the videos need Windows Media Player to play and are available only for a limited period. It may be deleted according to the 'whim and fancy' of the site's administrator and is beyond my control. So watch them while they are still 'hot' and available.

1. Class Album of Intermediate 1 - Class 15



2. Class Album of Intermediate 2 - Class 24



3. Class Album of Advance 2 - Class 40
Note: The 토속촌 (土俗村) which appears in the video is the most famous Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) house in Seoul. During peak hour, the wait for seat can last for hours. The students are eating Samgyetang because it is a custom here to eat this dish during 초복, 중복 and 말복 of 삼복더위 (the hottest month of Summer which is from mid July to mid August).

말복인 오늘

There was a lot of sunshine today. It was hot but not unbearable. Anyway, today is already 말복. The Summer heat is going to recede soon. But before that happens, it will be another week of '찜통더위' (sweltering heat).

Most maple leaves are still green...

... but some have already turned red.

Group photo was supposed to be taken on Tuesday but because of 2 days of almost continuous rain, it was delayed till today. Anyway, the photo will still be delivered in time for our end-of-term ceremony next Friday.

Students like taking photos sitting on this stone lion (above) in front of the main administration building. I have yet to sit on it though.

Our class has 20 students but since most are already quite proficient in Korean, attendance is usually quite poor.

The sunlight is quite strong near noon time so there is a need for an umbrella. The good thing about our class is that we are able to go home after the photo shoot while other classes have to stay for another hour of lesson.

Since it is 말복 today, following the custom of Korean, I have to eat 'Samgyetang' (Ginseng Chicken Soup) to 'fight' the heat. I left for a 'Samgyetang' restaurant near City Hall in the late afternoon. Eating 'Samgyetang' really causes me to perspire a lot.

The strong sunlight of '말복' is covered temporarily by the clouds.

A bowl of 'Samgyetang' cost 13,000won. Fortunately, there is no need to queue as the restaurant is 3-storey high and it is not yet dinner time. Despite that, the restaurant is crowded with people and business is brisk.

Now that I have eaten my first 'Samgyetang' for this '삼복더위', I am all charged up to 'fight' whatever remaining heat that is left of this Summer.

막걸리

Last Friday, our reading lesson topic was on 'Makgeolli' (막걸리) or unrefined rice wine. There was this funny passage, written by a Korean artist, which laud praises on 'Makgeolli' that I like to share.


좋다, 좋다, 좋다

글 - 사석원 . 화가

값이 싸서 좋다. 아무 안주와도 좋다. 비싼 안주가 필요 없다. 김치 쪼가리도 좋다. 궂은 날이면 빈대떡 하고 좋고, 맑은 날이면 풋고추 하고 좋다. 주머니 사정이 괜찮으면 도루묵 지짐이나 돼지구이나 문어 숙회가 좋다. 출출할 때 좋다. 요기가 된다. 혼자라도 좋고 둘이라도 좋지만, 같이 마시는 이가 많을수록 좋다. 아는 사람이라도 좋고 모르는 사람이라도 좋다. 아무나 괜히 친해지고 싶어져서 좋다. 주모가 젊어도 좋고 늙어도 좋다. 술집이 좁아도 좋고 남루해도 좋다. 술상이어도 좋고 밥상이어도 좋다. 산에서도 좋고 들에서도 좋다. 옛날 생각이 나서 좋다. 마음이 독해지지 않아서 좋고 그저 헤벌어져서 좋다. 아무 노래나 흥얼거리게 되어서 좋다. 술값을 내가 내든 네가 내든 서로 좋다. 막걸리는 술이 약해도 먹을 수 있다. 아이도 먹을 수 있다. 곧 돌아가실 듯한 노인도 먹는 시늉은 한다. 돌아가신 조상님도 좋아한다. 성묘에는 막걸리가 제격이다. 소주는 너무 슬프다. 노란 양은 주전자에 담아도 좋고 흰 사발에 담아도 좋다. 손가락으로 휘휘 저어 먹으면 더 좋다. 전라도 사람도 좋아하고 경상도 사람도 좋아해서 좋다. 노동자도 좋아하고 회장님도 좋아한다. 정치가가 별로 안 좋아해서 더욱 좋다. 그들은 폭탄주를 좋아한다고 한다. 일하면서 먹어도 좋고 놀면서 먹어도 좋다. 소싸움 하는 황소도 좋아하고 황소 주인도 좋아한다. 아침서부터 마셔도 좋고 떳떳하지 못한 처자랑 마셔도 좋다. 왜냐하면 막걸리 마시고는 아무런 뒤탈이 안 나기 때문이다. 속절없이 나오는 트림에 불륜은 언감생심이다. 그러하니 우리네 미풍양속을 존중하는 술이라서 또한 좋다. 이래저래 막걸리를 사랑하지 않을 수 없다. 한국 사람에 의한, 한국 사람을 위한, 한국인의 막걸리여. 영원하라.


There are two parts in the passage which I particularly like.

"Workers love it, bosses love it but it is better for politicians not to love it."

"Makgeolli is good because you won't get yourself into any trouble later after drinking. You won't dare to do anything immoral especially when you cannot control your farting. As such, we love this wine which upkeep our morality even more. All said, we cannot not love Makgeolli. To the Korean, for the Korean, Korean's Makgeolli, Forever!"

After reading this passage, I feel like drinking Makgeolli with Pajeon as '안주'.

한스타일3

This is the last part of Han Style forum which I attended two weeks ago.

Date: 28 July 2009 (Tuesday)
Venue: Member of National Assembly Hall, Main Auditorium
Topic: Let's talk about the future of Han Style
Purpose: To exchange ideas on Han Style and how it would impact the global brand image of Korea in future.

Just a simple introduction. Han Style, from my understanding, is a lifestyle that has a Korean origin, much like zen lifestyle is of Japanese origin. Han Style is about Hangeul (Korean alphabet), Korean Food, Hanbok (Korean traditional dress), Hanok (Korean traditional house), Hanji (Korean paper) and Korean music. They all constitute part of the larger picture which is the Korean culture. The ultimate objective of studying into Han Style is none other than to promote the Korean culture globally.

Prof. Kim, Dean IIE (1st from left, above), is the chairperson. The discussion panel is made up of stars from KBS's "Global Talk Show" (미녀들의 수다), foreign and Korean students. The forum is divided into 2 parts. The first part is on the 'Organic Power' of Han Style and the second on Korean food.

Prof Park (1st from right, above), first presented her research on the 'Organic Power' of Han Style. According to her, 'Organic Power' is different from 'Soft Power'. Soft Power is a cultural force used by big powerful nations to exert their influence on other nations while Organic Power is the influence exerted by individuals with similar interest in a common culture, coming together, in a borderless connected world. The 'Hallyu' phenomenon derives its energy essentially from this 'Organic Power'.

Yonsei's Master students, Mansur from Russia (2nd from left, above), spoke about the lack of publicity of Han Style in other parts of the world like Europe and America. As of now, Hallyu is predominantly localised in East and Southeast Asia. To the Russians, Korea is only about Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Daewoo. He proposed for more promotional activities on Korean culture, for Korean dramas to be dubbed into more languages and for more Korean language learning opportunity in Europe and other countries.

Christina (1st from right, above), from Italy, a familiar face in '미녀들의 수다' spoke about her love for Hanbok. She recalled her Hanbok-wearing experience. Her mother-in-law has a wardrobe full of Hanboks and she enjoys trying them out. For her wedding ceremony, she has two Hanboks. During one 'Chuseok' she went to Gyeongbok Palace with her husband, wearing Hanbok thinking that Koreans will also be wearing their Hanboks on this special day. But to her surprise, she found that she was alone.

Heu-eong (1st from right, above) from Vietnam, also of 미녀들의 수다's fame, spoke about the importance of Koreans making an effort to make all foreigners, regardless of nationality, feel welcome.

Larrisa (1st from right, above) from Russia, related her experience in staying in a pension (chalet or boarding house) which happens to be a Hanok. Initially, she thought she would feel uncomfortable but on the contrary, she slept very well in it. Jokingly, she said that more Hanok and not apartment should be built in Seoul.

Park Yoon-ju (1st from left, above), a native Korean, who is a Law graduate student at SNU, spoke on how little she knows about Korean traditional music. So she suggested that education system should make provision to acquaint both Koreans and foreigners to Korean traditional music. The ultimate goal is to make it a lifestyle rather than to increase awareness and a good way of achieving it is to go the 'fusion' way.

Kim No-su (1st from left, above), a representative from a Korean restaurant chain - 'Yongsusan', gave a presentation on globalising the "sincerity of mother" which is Korean food in other words. He noted that, compared to the number of Japanese restaurants, there are far fewer Korean restaurants in major hotels. He felt sorry that the price of Korean cuisines has to be lower than Chinese or Japanese cuisines and which unfortunately reinforces the idea that Korea stuff means discounted stuff. Among the many proposals he gave to elevate the status of Korean food, he pointed out that it is important for Koreans to first recognised the glamorous history and cultural value behind Korean food.

Benoit (centre, above), a French student in KHU, touched on the controversial topic of 'bosintang' (dog meat soup). Since it is controversial, I shan't write anything about it. I think it is not worth the time dwelling on this topic over and over again since better resolution will not be achieved. There are a lot more Korean food to woo the world than 'bosintang'. Live octopus may have a better chance in achieving success globally since most people have yet to develop an emotional connection to it.

Diana Kwon (centre, above), from Ecuador, spoke about how she learned to like Korean food. She stayed away from Korean food initially as they are quite different from Ecuadorian food but after she was 'forced' to eat them, she discovered that they actually tasted quite good. Other good points about Korean food is that they are not oily and low in calories.

Kang Do-won (1st from right, above), a native Korean, studying at Korea University was the last to speak. He spoke on the ways to globalise Korean food. But since I was kinda switched off by then, I did not really register what he actually suggested.

Finally, group photo to mark the end of the forum. While they were taking photo, we made our way to the canteen to queue for our Korean food since it was already lunch time when everything wrapped up.

It was a long morning especially for those foreign students who do not quite understand what the panel was talking about, but to me, I have learnt quite a bit from this forum, not to mention the opportunity to visit the National Assembly which was an eye-opener.

수수께끼

Today in class, our teacher drew 3 riddles for us to solve. I have reproduced her pictures below. Try guessing what the pictures are depicting. You need to be quite imaginative to 'see' the full picture. The answers shall be revealed tomorrow night.

Answer: The first picture is the easiest of all to interpret and it gives a rough sense of what to expect from the rest of the pictures. This picture shows a front view of a person trying to climb over a wall. The semi circle depicts half of his exposed face while the other is covered by the wall. His two hands are holding on to the top of the wall. Most people should have no problem getting this right.

Answer: The second picture is a bit too simplified to really make sense of it at first look. This picture actually shows a top view with the wiggling line being a tail. The full picture is a rat caught inside an empty can with its tail exposed. If you still cannot figure it out, pictorial explanation is below.



Answer: The third picture is actually the hardest to interpret in my opinion because you must first know a bit of the Korean classics "Chunhyang". Chunhyang first met her sweetheart, Mongyong, during the Dano Festival. On their first meeting, Chunhyang was playing on a swing. This picture is actually an under view of Chunhyang standing on a swing. The circle is the outline of Chunhyang's 치마 (skirt).

한스타일2

This post is a continuation of the earlier post on 'Han Style' forum. Its back to the National Assembly at Yeouido.

After the dance and music performance, we were given an introduction to the beautiful world of 'Hanbok' by world renowned 'Hanbok' designer, Lee Young Hee (이영희). Christina of '미녀들의 수다' also made guest appearance.

The 'Hanbok' Fashion Show started with a more traditional collection.

World renowned 'Hanbok' designer, Lee Young Hee, introducing her collections. The word that she kept repeating was 'colour' (색깔). The beauty of her 'Hanbok' has a lot to do with good colour matching.

The next group of models show off more modern-looking 'Hanbok'.

어모나, Christina of '미녀들의 수다' fame made a guest appearance in her Hanbok which she also wore during her wedding. Compared to the designer Hanbok, her Hanbok looks a lot more common. In the picture, she was appealing to the crowd, "꼭 자주 한복 입으세요. 약속! (Please wear 'Hanbok' frequently. Promise!)

The last collection of 'Hanbok' shown was not really Hanbok-like. There are more like Hanbok-inspired fashion.

Christina returned to stage wearing a designer Hanbok. The designer, Lee Young Hee, promised to give Christina one of her Hanboks as gift because Christina shows a genuine love for Korean traditional dress. 세상에~